Remember The 14 Texans Left In Seditious Caucus? Who Can We Vote Out This Year?
On the evening of January 6, after Trump's attempted coup, 17 Texans objected to certifying the election, while Trump refused to concede. Their baseless objections were done to keep Trump in office.
As we approach the November election and watch Trump’s poll numbers plummet, we must talk about some of his enablers still in Congress. While another Republican Congressman is retiring this year, thirteen more, plus one Senator, are running for re-election. It’s time to revisit these 14 Republicans’ offenses and shine a light on the Democrats, who can replace them in November.
How did these Republicans violate their oath of office and attempt to subvert the election?
On January 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the US Capitol, the world witnessed an unprecedented attack on American democracy. The event was shocking not only because of the violence but also because it was directly tied to the actions of several Republican members of Congress. These members, including the 14 Texans highlighted in this article, played a key role in fueling the false narratives that led to the insurrection. By objecting to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results without any evidence of widespread voter fraud, they violated their oath of office and attempted to subvert the democratic process.
The oath of office and its significance.
Every member of Congress takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This oath is not just ceremonial; it is a solemn promise to uphold the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power. By taking this oath, members of Congress commit themselves to acting in the country’s best interests, even when it may conflict with their personal or political ambitions.
The actions of these Republicans on January 6 were a clear violation of this oath. By objecting to the certification of the election results, they endorsed and perpetuated a baseless conspiracy theory that the election was stolen. Multiple courts, election officials, and even members of their party had already debunked this lie. In doing so, they abandoned their duty to uphold the truth and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Although these Republicans were not removed from office and have faced few, if any, consequences for their actions, WE, THE PEOPLE, must never forget what they did.
I will personally continue to remind Texans of their betrayal every chance I get, especially as elections approach. It’s our responsibility to hold them accountable.
The danger of subverting democracy.
The actions of these Republicans were not just a breach of their oath; they were a direct attack on the foundation of American democracy. The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democratic system, and undermining it threatens the stability and future of the nation. By casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election without evidence, these members of Congress sowed distrust in the democratic process and contributed to the chaos and violence that ensued.
Subverting democracy is not just about contesting an election; it’s about eroding the public’s confidence in the institutions that govern us. When elected officials prioritize personal or political gain over the truth, they endanger the very fabric of our nation. This kind of behavior sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging others to reject the outcomes of future elections simply because they disagree with the results.
The Republicans’ actions in 2021 were fundamentally different from the objections raised by Democrats in previous years.
The GOP’s objections were based on entirely false claims with no supporting evidence. While Democrats had objected to election certifications in 2001, 2005, and 2017, their objections were grounded in verifiable issues, such as voter suppression and irregularities in key states. For instance, in 2005, Democrats objected to Ohio’s results due to widespread voter suppression targeting Black communities and a glitch in the ballot machines that awarded votes to George W. Bush instead of John Kerry. Similarly, in 2017, Democrats raised objections in response to documented cases of Russian interference in the election process, which US intelligence agencies had confirmed.
In stark contrast, the Republicans’ objections in 2021 were fueled by debunked conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud. Despite numerous court rulings, recounts, and certifications by bipartisan election officials confirming the integrity of the 2020 election, these Republicans persisted in spreading lies about a “stolen” election. Their actions were not rooted in evidence or facts but in a calculated effort to undermine the results of a free and fair election, ultimately leading to the violent insurrection on January 6. This stark difference underscores why their actions were a blatant violation of their oath of office and a direct attack on democracy itself.
Who are these oathbreakers?
Senator Ted Cruz.
While Cancun Cruz needs no introduction, it’s important to remember that he was one of the ring leaders of Trump’s attempted coup.
While this was probably the highlight of his self-serving, self-dealing political career, there are at least one million other reasons to dislike Ted Cruz and how he’s represented the great state of Texas over the years. He’s spent most of his career attacking access to healthcare, he’s pro-fossil fuels, he let Trump talk smack about his wife, and he left his poor dog Snowflake at home to freeze during Uri.
I know there are some, myself included, who have had concerns about the Colin Allred campaign, but one thing we know for sure is Allred will fight for access to reproductive rights, he will vote on securing voting rights, and he won’t abandon us to freeze when the next winter storm shuts the power down in Texas for a week. That’s why I’m voting for Colin Allred, and I urge you to vote for him as well.
TX04 - Pat Fallon.
This Massachusetts native is no stranger to corruption. Only earlier this year, the Department of Energy’s Inspector General Teri Donaldson released a report citing Fallon’s pattern of waste, fraud, and abuse in reimbursement overpayments at the DOE. In 2021, a retired general took Congressman Fallon and his wife to court, making claims that included fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and interference with contractual relationships.
Plus, this is how he bangs a gavel:
It must be a Massachusettes thing because this is how Texans actually bang gavels:
Regardless, Pat Fallon constantly spreads misinformation on social media and frequently performs on Fox News, where he engages in conspiracy theory rhetoric. When Republican politicians spread misinformation about politics, it undermines the foundation of democracy by distorting the truth and eroding public trust.
He needs to be voted out.
Republicans redrew the maps to give themselves a +25-point advantage in TX04, but a large part of this district includes Collin County, one of the fastest ground counties in America.
Simon Cardell is the Democrat running against him. You can learn more about him on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Threads.
TX05 - Lance Gooden.
Who are the biggest Republican liars in the Texas Congressional Caucus? It’s a close tie between Lance Gooden and Brian Babin. Just go to Gooden’s Twitter page; nearly every tweet is false or misinformation. (Same with Babin.) It always baffled me how elected Republicans could make up literally anything in the world or repeat some QAnon garbage, and it wasn’t an ethics problem. 🤷🏻♀️
Congressman Gooden is also one of Trump’s biggest Texas allies.
While Republicans gave themselves a +22-point advantage in #TX05, this district has a historically low turnout. If Democrats could build enough enthusiasm in southeast Dallas County, we could see a lot of that trickle down the ballot.
Ruth Torres is a Democrat running against Gooden. You can learn more about her on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
TX11 - August Pfluger.
Unfortunately, Pfluger is running unopposed this year, which is a shame, even though this is a +40 red district. Hopefully, County Democratic Parties in the TX11 area keep their eyes open for 2026 to ensure he’s never unopposed again.
TX13 - Ronny Jackson.
TX13 is even redder than Pfluger’s district. Still, it’s disappointing to see Dr. Candyman get a free pass.
Anyway, here’s Congressman Jackson, allegedly high as a kite on the House floor of the United States Congress:
Don’t do drugs, folks.
TX14 - Randy Weber.
Earlier this year, Weber was kicked out of the House Freedom Caucus because of their in-fighting. Weber is pro-fossil fuels despite having cancer clusters in his district.
The most important thing you should know about Weber is that he was the congressman of the district of the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting in which two teachers and eight teenagers lost their lives.
The Democrat running against Weber is Rhonda Hart, whose 14-year-old daughter was needlessly killed in the Santa Fe High massacre. This is a heavy-hearted race where many meaningful conversations are being held.
You can read more about her race here:
While this district did have a +28-point Republican advantage after it was gerrymandered in 2021, you have to know that it is also a coastal district. Flood-prone neighborhoods are depopulating due to climate change. This year, things could look a lot different in coastal areas because when they lose population, they also lose voters.
You can learn more about Rhonda Hart on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
TX17 - Pete Sessions.
Pete Sessions is like a bad luck coin. It just keeps turning up. TX17 is the third district Sessions has represented in his nearly 30-year Congressional career. Even if he loses this year, and we want him to lose, he’ll probably just run for another district. Maybe one day, we’ll un-gerrymander Texas, and then we can have serious people in office.
This is a +22 Republican district in yet another area of Texas with booming populations. The GOP did the best they could, cracking and packing every district in Texas, but the rapid population changes will beat them to the census next time, and that’s it for the Republican government in Texas.
Further reading:
Daniel Cohen on Lone Star Left: How to Flip Texas by 2030
Mark Lorenzen is a Democrat running against Pete Sessions. You can learn more about him on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TX19 - Jodey Arrington.
Unopposed. We have to do better in 2026.
TX22 - Troy Nehls.
A few months ago, I was going to make a long list of grievances that Democrats had about Congressman Nehls, but then, when I figured out how long that list would be, I gave up.
Here is Nehls referring to women as heifers and implying that incarcerated transgender women are only trans to get it on with the ladies.
(The sound is lagged because sometimes my internet and C-Span don’t work together as they should. Sorry.)
This district only +16 Republicans after redistricting.
Marquette Greene-Scott is the Democrat running against Nehls. You can learn more about her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
TX24 - Beth VanDuyne.
The best way to describe VanDuyne is as someone with a lot of baggage. From her early days as Mayor of Irving to Donald Trump’s administration and even now, controversy has always followed VanDuyne. And because she typically goes with the crowd, she also tried to subvert the 2020 election for Trump.
In 2021, Republicans gave themselves a +12 advantage. However, it’s a booming area. The population is rapidly growing and diversifying. This may be one of the most flippable Congress seats. (It all depends on turnout.)
The Democrat running against VanDuyne is Sam Eppler. You can learn more about him on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TX25 - Roger Williams.
Williams is unopposed. He also has a net worth of $75 million. 😳
TX27 - Michael Cloud.
Cloud sponsored the “Dismantle DEI Act of 2024” along with Trump VP-hopeful JD Vance. Plus, he’s one of the dipshits who went to Trump’s trial in New York:
Congressman Cloud is a long-time Trump sycophant.
This is a +27 Republican district spread between Central Texas and the coast. It’s also predominantly a rural district.
Tanya Lloyd is the Democrat running against Cloud. You can learn more about her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TX31 - Judge John Carter.
In 1981, Carter was appointed judge of the 277th District Court in Williamson County. He retired in 2001. Then, he decided he’d run for Congress at the ripe old age of 61. That was 22 years ago. Carter will be 83 this year and ranks as one of the tenth oldest Congresspeople today, only proving that of all the people who participated in Trump’s attempted coup, he’s one person who should have known better.
Republicans had about a +30 point advantage after redistricting, but once again… a population boom. In November, we’ll be able to get a good look at how that translated to the vote.
The Democrat running against Carter is Stuart Whitlow. You can learn more about him on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TX36 - Brian Babin.
As mentioned earlier, Babin has a long history of spreading misinformation and, at times, outright lies on his social media and right-wing TV. Aside from being a Trump loyalist, Babin is one of the House members who attended the December 21, 2020, planning meeting with Trump at the White House, where they discussed subverting the 2020 election.
Of all the people on this list who participated in Trump’s schemes to overturn the 2020 election, Babin was one of the most culpable simply for being present at that meeting.
This district encompasses East and far-East Texas, where sundown towns lurk in the corners of most counties. Republicans have a +36 advantage in this district. But, you’ll never hear me say something “is impossible.”
The Democrat running against Babin is Dayna Steele. You can find out more about her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The upcoming election is about more than just choosing representatives.
It’s about strengthening our democracy.
Voting is our most powerful tool for holding our leaders accountable and ensuring that those who represent us do so with integrity, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to the values that make our nation strong.
Vote early, vote often, just vote.
August 19: Last day for write-in candidates to declare their candidacy.
October 7: Last day to register to vote.
October 21: First day to early vote.
October 25: Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot.
November 1: Last day to early vote.
November 5: Election day!
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can u give us an update on True the Vote efforts...there is a 90 day moritorum but what happened before and are counties aware...my county Dems are silent on this most important task